Athlone area sweeps the boards at Westmeath restaurant awards
The Athlone and South Westmeath area swept the boards at the Westmeath awards in the Leinster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards last night in the Killashee House Hotel
Over 600 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Leinster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious county awards.
Food outlets were nominated under the categories of Best Customer Service, Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Wine Experience, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Kids Size Me Menu, Local Food Hero, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine and Best Newcomer.
All of the Westmeath winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards. These will be held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin on Monday, May 13.
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone
Best Chef – Sponsored by Nisbets: Deirdre Adamson of The Fatted Calf, Athlone
Best Restaurant Manager – AIB Merchant Services: Fiona O'Donnell of The Fatted Calf, Athlone
Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by BWG Food Service: The Wineport Lodge, Glasson
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Lockton: Oscars, Mullingar
Best Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Elavon: Grogan's, Glasson
Best Cafe - Sponsored by Illy: Red Earth, Mullingar
Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Jameson Caskmates Sean’s Bar, Athlone
Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Gilbeys The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone
Best World Cuisine Kin Khao Thai, Athlone
Best “Free From” – Sponsored by Peroni Gluten Free: Beans & Leaves, Athlone
Best Kids Size Me: Corner House Bistro, Athlone
Best Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Rewarding Times: Pat Lalor of Kilbeggan Organic Foods
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by Odaio: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone
Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Just Eat: Savoury Fare at the Fernhill Garden Centre, Athlone